{"id":238,"date":"2018-11-23T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-23T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-9\/"},"modified":"2022-12-19T14:36:22","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T13:36:22","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/23\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 9"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter Nine: Reverence Revealed<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The fight was surprisingly short-lived considering Shale’s anxiety in the approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The companions stood around the hidden entrance of the tunnel, Whisper standing in the back and pushing his fireball forward. They used their moment’s pause to discuss how best to attack. \u201cWe could leave them? Or block them in?\u201d Shale suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere could be another way out,\u201d Oszaren shook his head. \u201cBesides, both sides could wait forever for the other to react. I say we push through in a wedge formation.\u201d Again, Shale was reminded that this warlock had a general\u2019s stance. He knew something about organizing forces. She gave a curt nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll go first,\u201d Reverence offered with an eager grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The tiefling pushed through past the others, hands raised defensively as he stepped on light feet. He disappeared around the stone. Moments later, they heard a swish, then another, followed by a grunt. Everyone else moved forward cautiously and pushed into the tunnel after him. First, they saw Reverence standing there with a spear in one hand, and another buried in his shoulder. \u201cCaught the first one,\u201d he said with a grimaced smile, wrenching the other free as Keelan ran past him and into an open room, weapon drawn. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Before them stood several female guards in chainmail, a thickset bald man with a scarred faced and arms as wide as tree trunks, and Mondath herself, standing regally in purple robes, a swirling mass of black and ghostly white shapes spinning around her dizzyingly. The shapes seemed to reach and grab the air around her like spirits tethered to an invisible chain, held at Mondath\u2019s waist.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou have stepped into a war you can\u2019t win,\u201d Mondath said, voice steady. Her short-cropped hair clung to her forehead, revealing her nervousness in beads of sweat. \u201cAttack them,\u201d she ordered, and the guards took their stances in front of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan charged, battle axe crackling with lightning energy, and swung at the nearest guard, who ducked and tried to stab at the well armoured paladin with her spear. She dipped and parried, carefully watching Keelan\u2019s movements in his heavy plate mail. The paladin\u2019s red cloak swirled around him like flames.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bald man charged at Keelan, a short sword in one hand and a long sword in the other. He cried out and began attacking the paladin fiercely. Keelan struck back and warded off the blows of both, standing his ground as best he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale was caught behind the rest and tried to move into the room. The walls of the tunnel were too narrow to properly draw either bow or swords. Oszaren pushed through with her and Reverence moved out of their way, bounding up the tunnel and holding himself with the strength of his legs, readying to strike. Blood leaked from his shoulder where the spear had struck, but he seemed to pay it no mind. Oszaren reached into his cloak and unscrewed a flask, casting it at the guards attacking Keelan. Two other guards were moving in on the paladin who, for the most part, seemed to be the biggest threat. Oil arced through the room and struck two of the women, the liquid beading off their chainmail. They turned their attention to Oszaren, and the warlock shouted back to Whisper \u201cmove the fire back to the tunnel!\u201d A moment later, the roaring ball of fire rolled toward them and barreled over the two guards before they could jump out of the way. The flames caught the oil, and in a sudden flash Reverence raised a hand and the flames seemed to swell and cover their bodies entirely, filling the room with suffocating black smoke. In fitful screams the two women swung their spears, then slowed, then collapsed in silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cExcuse me, pardon me,\u201d Fillip was saying as he came up under Reverence and, raising both arms, cast a spell. Thick green vines suddenly shot from the floor and began tangling themselves around the legs of the guards. Keelan jumped back to avoid the sudden sprouts and smiled over to Fillip instantly when he saw the guards struggling against the trap. Fillip gave the paladin a flirtatious wink.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cJustice,\u201d Keelan swung his axe and quickly beheaded the nearest guard with a crack of lightning. \u201cAnd vengeance!\u201d Her fallen body was quickly consumed by the vines.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bald man roared, flexing his massive arms, slashing at the vines with both swords just as Whisper\u2019s fireball pressed against the edge of the vines and they started to burn. Mondath had been watching this display within the safety of her swirling tornado of dark spirits. Finally, she took a few steps back until she was at the furthest edge of the room, then reached out to the bald man as he stumbled free of the vines and took his stance in front of her. A white energy glowed from her fingertips, closing up the man’s wounds he had suffered at the hands of Keelan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren began walking forward shooting blasts of green light at Mondath, who raised her glaive and warded off the attacks. The warlock continued to push forward as Reverence jumped behind him and slammed a fist into one of the guards as she tried to break free of the vines, which were now fully wrapped around her legs and reaching up to her waist. She tried to thrust her spear at the monk, but he easily sidestepped it. Keelan also ran for Mondath and ducked as one of Oszaren\u2019s spells narrowly missed his head and send a showering of rocks from the wall behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat the hells, man?\u201d Keelan demanded, spinning toward Oszaren.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re standing in my fucking way,\u201d the warlock growled, tattoos glowing as he eyed Mondath and her bodyguard. The spirits seemed to spin faster now, encompassing them both.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan shrugged and took stance next to him. Lightning no longer crackled along his axe, the spell dissipated. \u201cQuit your bickering,\u201d Shale said as she walked up to them and from afar set her hunter\u2019s mark, an invisible brand that only she could see, to glow upon Mondath\u2019s chest. She raised her longbow and shot into the tornado of spirits. She heard Mondath cry out in surprise and the spirits began to dissolve around her, then disappear. Shale hadn\u2019t realized they\u2019d been screaming until there was silence. A long arrow protruded from Mondath\u2019s side. The bald man turned to see this, then raised his two swords and charged.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper\u2019s fireball continued to roll through the air, but the tabaxi himself was nowhere to be seen. Fillip, on the other hand, had rushed into the room, picking past his vines, some of which were now aflame, and set a healing hand on Reverence\u2019s shoulder. The monk cracked a fist into the chest of another guard as she peeled up out of the vines and sent her sprawling across the floor, unmoving.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGive it up,\u201d Shale said, raising another arrow to Mondath and her guard.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bald man cast his swords on the ground and took up a crossbow, loading it and aiming it back at her. Oszaren and Keelan shared a look, and just as they were about to attack, Reverence and Fillip ran up behind them and the man turned his crossbow to Reverence and shot. The bolt was there one second, and the next it was grasped in Reverence\u2019s hand. The damn monk had caught the bolt in the air, inches from his chest. He gave a courteous nod and tucked the bolt into his shirt as the man scrambled to reload. Two of the guards had broken free of the vines and started attacking. One thrust a spear at Reverence and the other leapt at Keelan, trying to tackle him to the ground. Mondath used the distraction to raise her glaive and begin casting a spell. Shale whipped around to shoot at arrow at the woman clinging to Keelan. \u201cCome on!\u201d Mondath shouted, and with a purple glow surrounding them both, they skirted along the wall and made for a door in the corner of the room. The bald man shot his bolt again haphazardly, easily missing Keelan as he shook off the other guard, and quickly threw open the door. They both disappeared behind it just as Fillip cast more vines at the doorway grasping for their legs. With effort, the door scraped shut against the growths.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you attack?\u201d Fillip demanded, his focus on growing the vines up around the doorframe. \u201cI think I got baldy with the vines,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren summoned his blade in a flash of green and impaled the woman dodging Reverence\u2019s punches. She died quickly, and he wiped the blade clean as Keelan\u2019s axe slammed into the chest of the other one, burying into chainmail, flesh and bone. Shale wrenched one of her arrows free of the woman\u2019s body and checked that it was intact, then slid it back into her quiver.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe don\u2019t know the full extent of her abilities,\u201d Oszaren shook his head. \u201cWe\u2019ll get them out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale looked around at the fallen guards. \u201cWhat do you think they\u2019re protecting in there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCould be\u2014the dragon eggs,\u201d Reverence said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCould be,\u201d Oszaren said, and glowing armour appeared over his body. Then, Whisper entered the room tentatively, hand aloft and directing his fire ball to move at the closed door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI open?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, please,\u201d Oszaren said, stepping aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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After two hits from the flaming sphere, the door cracked and gave way in a torrent of hot flames and cinder. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cPerhaps cats aren\u2019t so bad,\u201d Keelan said, slamming a heavy hand on Whisper\u2019s back in appreciation of the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The ball of fire dissipated as the room inside became visible. Reverence jumped through the opening first, Mondath standing behind a desk holding a small horn in one hand. She raised the horn to her lips just as Reverence kicked his legs up in the air to try and break it from her grasp. His foot connected. The horn clattered to the ground and rolled next to a bookshelf just as vines began to envelope the room, coaxed by Fillip’s raised hands. The bald man shot a bolt at the monk, who dodged it as he tried to punch Mondath with a closed fist. The woman backed away as Keelan jumped into the room and started swinging at the bodyguard, who ducked and took an axeblade in the thickest part of his leg. Keelan kicked him over and he scrambled up, grabbing a sword from the wall and catching Keelan\u2019s next blow. Fillip ran up and shot a stone from his sling. The stone cracked the man on the head and he fell back in a daze. Keelan kicked him in the head for extra measure, and he went down, unconscious. The paladin used a boot to push the sword out of the fallen man\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mondath cast the spirits around herself again, and they took up half the room with their dark energy. Shale squinted through the darkness to see the faint glow of her hunter\u2019s mark, and shot another arrow, which hit the woman in the collarbone. Suddenly, the spirits around Mondath struck. One reached out and seemed to grab Reverence around the neck, throwing him against the bookshelf. The monk\u2019s orange skin paled and he gasped for air, then collapsed. Another spirit burst forth and grabbed Keelan by the middle, dragging him into the swirling mass and then casting him across the room. The paladin slumped to the floor, also unconscious. Mondath reached down as this happened and grabbed the horn, placing it to her lips and blowing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo!\u201d Shale cried out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But, the horn made no sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho did she call?\u201d Fillip asked desperately, looking around. Again, Whisper had not followed them into the fight. Then, a glowing halberd appeared in the air above the doorway and arched toward Fillip.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLook out!\u201d Shale cried, and the druid just managed to dive out of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren shot an eldritch blast at Mondath, who raised a hand and seemed to catch the spell in its path. The spirits were creating a chaotic blur around her form, making her difficult to pinpoint. Luckily, Shale\u2019s mark was still there. She shot another arrow, this one ripping through the woman\u2019s robes. Fillip got to his feet and started shooting slings into the spiritual tornado.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Then, a strange creeping of magic flowed through the doorway across the viney ground and crawled up Mondath\u2019s legs. The spirits around her seemed to quiver and slow, and then suddenly vanish as the woman collapsed. Whisper appeared at this doorway with a smile. \u201cSleep,\u201d he said simply. The floating halberd had disappeared as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper and Oszaren both dove for the horn at the same time, Whisper snatching it up first and looking at it. \u201cCan I see the horn?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo,\u201d Whisper said, turning it over in his paws.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With a sigh, Oszaren examined it from the tabaxi\u2019s grasp, then rummaged through a messy pile of papers on the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale walked to Keelan\u2019s side, pulling out a handful of goodberries from her pocket and gently lifting the man\u2019s head. She pressed the berry to his lips, forcing him to swallow it with a mouthful of water from her waterskin. He coughed, rubbing the back of his head and sitting up against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll keep watch,\u201d Fillip offered, running from the room. They had no idea who that horn might have summoned, but Shale felt uneasy, especially now that Whisper had it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale moved next to Reverence and administered a goodberry to him. Oszaren was now opening wardrobe doors and pulling out drawers. He took out two vials and declared them to be healing potions, then tucked them away. Next, he drew out a pile of silk clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t linger,\u201d Shale warned. \u201cWe don\u2019t know who that horn called.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo one\u2019s come yet.\u201d Oszaren said, returning to the desk and holding up a sheet of paper just as Fillip re-entered the room with Trigger bounding happily at his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s no one coming from the entrance,\u201d Fillip said, \u201cbut I saw more kobolds deeper into the caves. Oh, and there\u2019s some big mushroom creatures but they don\u2019t seem too interested in us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOh, good,\u201d Keelan said tiredly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip smiled brilliantly. \u201cSo, what have we found?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis,\u201d Oszaren said, waving the paper in front of him, \u201cis a map of all the towns they\u2019ve hit so far. It has a trajectory. And this,\u201d he took up another piece of paper and passed it around to all of them, the paper reaching Whisper last, \u201cis a terrible love poem about Langdedrosa, written by her.\u201d Oszaren nodded his chin to the unconscious Mondath.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale raised an eyebrow as she read the, indeed, very terribly written poetry. The paper had been crumpled and smoothed out and there were lines through a few sentences. Mondath, in <\/em>love with Langdedrosa? A human and a half-dragon? Well,<\/em> she supposed, it isn’t as weird as what it takes to make a half-dragon.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI also found some ledgers laying out the stolen goods from each town,\u201d Oszaren rolled up these documents and placed them in his bag.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSo, we have leverage,\u201d Fillip said, walking around the room to the opposite edge to admire a painting on the wall. He stepped onto a thick, lavishly designed carpet, and suddenly dropped from sight with a yelp.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Where Fillip stood a moment ago was now a giant hole in the ground, through which he, and the carpet, had both fallen through.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFillip?\u201d Keelan called down the hole.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A moment later they heard a shuffling and a groan. \u201cOw.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre you alright?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI think so,\u201d he mumbled, and they heard scraping as he stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They all looked at each other. Oszaren lit a lantern and handed it to Shale. She nodded gratefully and leaned over the hole. There was a ladder leading down. She raised the lantern and began climbing down one-handed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale dropped to the stone floor next to Fillip, who was brushing dirt from his cloak. His face was covered in small scratches, and she tossed a goodberry to him, which he popped into his mouth. Looking around, there seemed to be a singular tunnel leading off past the reach of her lamplight. Oszaren peeked his head through. \u201cAnything down there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know, but I\u2019m getting out of here!\u201d Fillip noticed the tunnel leading away from them and quickly took the ladder back up, and Shale followed him, leaving the lantern burning below.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA tunnel,\u201d Shale explained, emerging from the hole.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe should\u2014talk to the prisoners,\u201d Reverence suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe need to separate them,\u201d Keelan added. \u201cKeep one in this room and bring the other one down into the tunnel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI keep watch,\u201d Whisper said, eyeing Mondath and her bodyguard. \u201cDon\u2019t want to be seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s understandable,\u201d Fillip said, \u201cand it explains why you were hidden during our fight.\u201d He crossed his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGood point, but why stay hidden now? Maybe we should blow Whisper\u2019s cover. After all, we don\u2019t know whose side he\u2019s on,\u201d Oszaren frowned. He was clearly unhappy about Whisper taking the horn but wasn\u2019t going to fight him on it. At least, not yet. He looked down at Whisper\u2019s pack.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo, I agree with Whisper. It\u2019s best for him to stay anonymous in this\u2014encounter,\u201d Fillip paused. \u201cHe still may be of use to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper nodded grimly and left the room. Keelan eyed them all and followed after the tabaxi. \u201cHey, Whisper, wait up! I wanted to ask you more about what you did with that fire back there\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The rest of them agreed to split up: take Mondath down into the tunnels with Shale and Reverence and keep the bodyguard upstairs with Oszaren and Fillip, then take turns questioning them. \u201cWe should first\u2014find out,\u201d Reverence suggested to them before they split up, \u201cwhat sort of\u2014relationship the two of them have. Then, perhaps\u2014we can break it. And if\u2014one is less valuable\u2014then we must kill them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cBoth prisoners are valuable,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cLet\u2019s not be hasty with the killing. We kill when we must. We don\u2019t kill people tied up on the ground.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA moral conundrum.\u201d Reverence raised both eyebrows. \u201cFrom my experiences\u2014the best way to get what you want\u2014is to extend the prisoner\u2019s feelings of captivity. Take away their\u2014recognition of time. Take away day\u2014and night. You need to let them know\u2014that nothing is normal. That you have\u2014complete control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSince when do you know about advanced torture techniques?\u201d Fillip asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI know how to\u2014get information,\u201d the monk said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale shifted her feet uncomfortably. \u201cOkay,\u201d she finally said. \u201cLet\u2019s split up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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They lowered Mondath into the tunnel and Shale and Reverence climbed down after her. They kept her bound and leaning against the stone wall. They agreed to wake the bodyguard first and question him while they listened from below. The carpet was drawn back over the hole. Shale stood beneath it, staring up at darkness, picturing the conversation as the voices began.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren bent and slapped the man\u2019s cheek a few times until he shook himself awake. \u201cHey, friend,\u201d the warlock said casually. \u201cSleep well?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho are you?\u201d the man demanded, leaning forward in his ropes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, let\u2019s do a trade. You give me your name, and I will give you mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The man considered that for a moment, grinding his teeth. \u201cName\u2019s Alfric.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAlfric?\u201d Oszaren looked down at him, but didn\u2019t offer up his own name. \u201cTell us about the operation you have here. It seems very organized.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alfric was quiet for a long while before finally answering. \u201cWell, I protect my boss, and I get gold for it,\u201d he snorted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s fair,\u201d Oszaren said appraisingly. \u201cAnd who\u2019s your boss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe woman with black hair and the obsession with dragons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMondath,\u201d Fillip provided, and their captive nodded to confirm. \u201cIs she the only one you\u2019re paid to protect?\u201d He nodded again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In the silence that followed, Alfric cleared his throat. \u201cWhy haven\u2019t you killed me yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, first, because we\u2019re just people. We\u2019re not killers,\u201d Oszaren explained lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYour actions say differently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou attacked us,\u201d the warlock pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is our territory. You invaded us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSure,\u201d he allowed, \u201cbut you kind of raided some towns and killed some people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFair point,\u201d Alfric shrugged. \u201cNot sure what you want from me, then.\u201d The man did not seem overly invested in the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re the bodyguard of the boss. You see most of what happens here. So, we\u2019re going to ask you about this cult and everything they\u2019ve been doing, and you can either talk, or you can die.\u201d Oszaren said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cC\u2019mon gorgeous,\u201d Fillip said casually, \u201ctell us what we want to know, and we won\u2019t hurt your pretty face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bald man wrinkled his scarred forehead in confusion. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you want to hear. We ransacked some towns and we stole some gold. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy did you need so much gold? Do you have some big purchases to make?\u201d Fillip asked. \u201cAre you ramping up for something in particular?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI heard there were some big events coming up, but I couldn\u2019t tell you much about it myself.\u201d He scoffed. \u201cSomething about an evil dragon god and the end of the world.\u201d The way he said it made it clear he didn\u2019t believe it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre you just a mercenary?\u201d Fillip asked curiously. \u201cYou\u2019re not a part of the cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve seen my fair share of wars. Used to train in the light cavalry in Baldur\u2019s gate.\u201d He leaned back as much as his bonds would allow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWould you like to join our troop?\u201d Fillip asked happily, hands outstretched.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s not jump on anything too quickly, here,\u201d Oszaren held up a hand. \u201cTell us about the silent thing your boss blew. The horn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat thing,\u201d he let out a bark of laughter. \u201cWe\u2019re all convinced it doesn\u2019t do anything. She claims it can call the person of your choosing, no matter where they are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, that\u2019s convenient,\u201d Fillip said, and the two half-elves did their best to mask their concern, though Fillip\u2019s eyes did flicker over to the carpet on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The man laughed humourlessly in response.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTell us more about the goings-on of the cult. The day to day,\u201d Fillip said, rushing the interrogation forward. \u201cWho else did you see?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, there were some black-scaled folk. Red robed people with bald heads and tattoos\u2026\u201d The rest of the man\u2019s words seemed to fade after this. Shale\u2019s heart was pumping wildly in her chest, and she clutched the ladder tightly with both hands, staring up at the dark ceiling and straining her ears as best she could.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThank you, Alfric,\u201d Oszaren was saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSo, what\u2019s the deal? Give me back my weapons and send me home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre you single?\u201d Fillip asked sardonically. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNot for you,\u201d the man responded instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it, let\u2019s kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

There was a sound of metal slicing through air, and then a thump. Oszaren had knocked him out with the pommel of his sword.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Shale said, hands sweating as she turned to Mondath\u2019s unconscious figure. \u201cOur turn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence nodded and cracked his knuckles and there was a shuffling from above. A moment later, Fillip lifted the carpet and began climbing down the ladder. \u201cThat was fun,\u201d he smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, we know the man\u2014can be bought. He\u2019s\u2014a mercenary. If we were\u2014to set him free\u2014without his weapons\u2014I doubt he would turn on us,\u201d Reverence surmised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe definitely doesn\u2019t seem to have any allegiance to the cult,\u201d Fillip agreed. \u201cIf we paid him enough, he would walk away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think we should take him to Greenest. Him and Mondath both, to be put on trial by their laws.\u201d Shale said quietly. \u201cNo killing, no paying, no freeing. We leave it up to the people who suffered most by their hands, and their justice system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe must\u2014work quickly,\u201d Reverence said. \u201cAs far\u2014as we know\u2014the horn was meant to call\u2014Langdedrosa. If we can\u2014convince her\u2014that he heard it and abandoned her\u2014then she will be easy to manipulate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf we can assume she called Langdedrosa, and not anyone else,\u201d Shale said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe will\u2014make her tell us\u2014if we can. First, let\u2019s\u2014make her think\u2014she has been here for days. Throw\u2014dirt on her\u2014splash water on her face\u2014and say it\u2019s been a few days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale was too surprised by the monk\u2019s thorough knowledge of interrogation to add anything to the plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow\u2014how to we make her believe\u2014she has been abandoned?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Shale hesitated, \u201ccould Whisper create an illusion of a blue scale? As evidence that he\u2019s dead, or perhaps left it behind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think we should assume this woman is an advanced spellcaster,\u201d Fillip said, \u201cand nothing we can do with magic would fool her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right,\u201d Shale nodded reluctantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence took some dirt from the surrounding floor and started throwing it on Mondath\u2019s unconscious form. Then, he removed his waterskin and splashed some water on her face. Her eyelids fluttered, and she tried to stretch. Then, realizing she was bound, she tried to sit up quickly and Shale pushed her up against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mondath leaned forward in the darkness as Shale stepped back to stand with the others. The lantern sat behind them, so their faces were mostly obscured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMorning, gorgeous,\u201d Fillip said with a friendly smile, though their expressions were difficult to make out in the dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mondath looked up at them with icy blue eyes and glared. Her skin was pale, her face freckled, and her eyebrows arched in annoyance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTell us about the horn,\u201d Shale said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat horn?\u201d She said immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe one you blew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy would I tell you what that\u2019s for?\u201d She smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, we were just wondering\u2014if that\u2019s why\u2014Langdedrosa came back.\u201d Reverence said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mondath\u2019s eyes lit up. \u201cHe came?\u201d Then, recovering herself, she put on a flat expression and said. \u201cSo, I guess he\u2019s dead then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, he said something about a pawn\u2014losing its usefulness,\u201d Reverence shrugged. \u201cThen he left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She gave him a dirty glare but said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThrow down the note!\u201d Reverence called up. A moment later, the carpet moved, and a piece of paper dropped to the dirt. Reverence picked it up and flattened it, holding it in front of her eyes. It was the poem about Langdedrosa. \u201cWe showed him this\u2014and it gave him quite a good\u2014laugh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mondath fumed quietly, but still said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think\u2014you\u2019ve been played,\u201d Reverence told the woman, tucking the note away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere did he go?\u201d She said quietly, looking down at her knees.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe said he had more important things to worry about than trying to bargain with us,\u201d Shale provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, I guess that\u2019s it then,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, why wake me? Just to gloat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh no\u2014no,\u201d Reverence sighed. \u201cAs fun as that is\u2014we\u2019re giving you the\u2014opportunity\u2014to convince us you\u2019re useful enough\u2014to keep alive. So\u2014convince us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt seems as though I have nothing left to live for,\u201d she said, though Shale wasn\u2019t fully convinced by her supposed broken-heartedness. This woman was powerful. A singular focus was not like to break her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI could give you a reason to live,\u201d Fillip said suggestively. Shale had to actively force herself to keep from rolling her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow about your\u2014little operation here,\u201d Reverence added. \u201cWe found some\u2014interesting things. Why don\u2019t you tell us\u2014what it\u2019s all for. Your guard, Alfric\u2014told us quite a bit before his\u2014untimely demise. We\u2019d like to know\u2014if you can confirm\u2014some of what he said.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mondath shrugged. \u201cWe take what we want from the people who have too much. You\u2019ve witnessed it yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd what,\u201d the monk said sarcastically, \u201cgive it to the poor?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe will bring the world something much greater than riches,\u201d Mondath cut in, anger colouring her voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, yes, yes\u2014’the dragon queen\u2019,\u201d he sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen she comes back, the whole world will be ruled by the glorious dragons. No one will want of anything. The world will become\u2026\u201d she sputtered off as Reverence splashed more water in her face. She turned her cold eyes on him and coughed pointedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf we wanted to hear babbling from fanatics\u2014we would have joined your cult. Again, you seem like you have a head on your shoulders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFor now,\u201d Fillip added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence nodded. \u201cWe\u2019re particularly interested in some eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe eggs?\u201d Mondath\u2019s mouth curved into a smile. \u201cSo, you haven\u2019t found them yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, we know where they are,\u201d Shale told her, \u201cwe\u2019re just wondering how one might care for them. Perhaps even\u2014hatch one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHatch one,\u201d Mondath looked at them as if they were idiots. \u201cThen we are on the same side. The more dragons there are in the world, the better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow do you do it? How do you hatch them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, if you truly want to keep the dragons alive,\u201d she said suspiciously, \u201cthen they will hatch soon. Within the week, in fact. Keep them where they are, in this hatchery, in a warm environment, and they will thrive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale wasn\u2019t sure if the woman believed them, or if she was playing another game entirely. \u201cPerhaps we\u2019ll do that,\u201d Shale said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

In the pause that followed, Fillip spoke. \u201cCan I ask, have you seen any half-elves with comparable beauty to myself in recent past?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She eyed the druid as if she couldn\u2019t quite believe him, but there was a spark of amusement in her smile. \u201cI\u2019ve met a few, but I\u2019d say you\u2019re on the lower end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip put a hand to his chest as if wounded. \u201cOuch.\u201d She gave him a mocking smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Shale stepped in. \u201cTell us about the bald men in red robes. The ones with tattoos. Who are they and why are they working with the cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cPowerful wizards, them,\u201d she said gravely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes, I know that,\u201d Shale said slowly, crouching down to look directly into the woman\u2019s cold eyes. \u201cBut, why are they working with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTheir interests align with ours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTaking over the world? Hatching dragons?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA bit of both,\u201d she said, \u201cas far as we know. They keep to themselves. We know their running from something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRunning,\u201d Shale repeated. \u201cRunning from something big, or something unexpected?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey want the power that comes with the rise of the dragon queen. That\u2019s all I know. That\u2019s all I care to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere was home for them?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe country of Thay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight,\u201d she nodded. She stood and stepped back to stand next to Reverence and Fillip. The lantern flickered brightly behind them. \u201cNow, about your leader. This black half-dragon woman. Who is she?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRezmir,\u201d Mondath sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight. How does she rank in the cult? She\u2019s clearly above you and Langdedrosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe call her a wyrm speaker. Besides her, there is only Severin above us in rank.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShe can speak to dragons,\u201d Fillip said, crouching down next to Mondath. He pulled out a bottle of wine from his pack, popped the cork and started drinking, staring at her suggestively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight, we\u2019re getting distracted,\u201d Shale said, and Mondath seemed amused by their obvious lack of leadership or motive in the discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd the Harper,\u201d Reverence said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIs precisely why Rezmir gave us the order to leave,\u201d she told them. \u201cWe don\u2019t know how he found out about us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, I think we\u2019ve\u2014gotten as much\u2014as we can for now,\u201d Reverence said to the rest of them. \u201cYou don\u2019t need\u2014to be awake\u2014for the rest of this discussion.\u201d Then, in one swift movement, he backhanded her across the face and she slumped back, unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you think she was telling the truth?\u201d Shale wondered aloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSomehow, I think\u2014she was,\u201d the tiefling said. \u201cAs far\u2014as she knows\u2014she has\u2014nothing left to lose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale nodded, though she still felt uncomfortable about the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe can leave her\u2014tied up with a note of her betrayal\u2014and all the information she gave away\u2014for her friends to find.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s discuss it with everyone,\u201d Shale suggested, and they all climbed up the ladder to where Oszaren sat, taking notes of the interrogation. They called Keelan and Whisper into the room. They confirmed that no enemies were near.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know if the horn works,\u201d Oszaren told them, \u201cbut we need to get through these caves quickly, before more people come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd what about\u2014the prisoners?\u201d Reverence asked. \u201cDo we\u2014leave them? Or\u2014take them with us? We could\u2014hire this Alfric fellow\u2014to take Mondath back to Greenest, as Shale wanted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that we can trust him that far,\u201d Shale said. \u201cHe may be a mercenary, but you can bet she\u2019ll offer him more gold to set her free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just kill them?\u201d Keelan said quickly. \u201cNo mercy to the wicked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI agree\u2014with the paladin.\u201d Reverence said. \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference\u2014between killing them in a fight\u2014or killing them now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThere is a very big difference,\u201d Oszaren said seriously. \u201cWe keep them tied up for now, gagged and blindfolded as well so they can\u2019t communicate with one another. Maybe even suspend them over the tunnel. We go through the caves, we find the eggs, and we come back for the prisoners. We can strap them to our horses and take them back to Greenest once the job is done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

After a lot of deliberation and back-and-forth, they all finally agreed to Oszaren\u2019s plan, except they suspended Mondath in the tunnel and tied Alfric in the other room. Shale called Trigger to her side. He wagged his tail and she ruffled the fur between his ears. He licked her hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTrigger, I need you to keep watch. Stick to the shadows and come find me if anyone approaches.\u201d The fox yipped and ran ahead of her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cScout,\u201d Whisper said, and threw his paw out. His owl appeared and flew off, and Whisper\u2019s eyes glazed over white as he looked through the owl\u2019s eyes. A few minutes later, he returned to himself and shook his head. \u201cNo one outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Oszaren said seriously, double checking the knots on Alfric\u2019s wrists, legs and torso. \u201cLet\u2019s find some dragon eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 9 follows our adventurers in this Dungeons & Dragons campaign as they cross Faerun, fighting against the rising tide of the Dragon Cult, in this story based on The Hoard of the Dragon Queen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,13,16,21,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wings-of-chaos-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-hoard-of-the-dragon-queen","tag-series","tag-wings-of-chaos","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-PhotosArtboard-1-copy-6.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"amazon":{"key":"amazon","url":"https:\/\/music.amazon.ca\/podcasts\/09c34bbc-b359-49af-a286-31830ed5634c\/short-stories","label":"Amazon","class":"amazon","icon":"amazon.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_play":{"key":"google_play","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Play","class":"google_play","icon":"google-play.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0lcQCRs52MfYlKs35lVX4K","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"itunes":{"key":"itunes","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"iTunes","class":"itunes","icon":"itunes.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/feed\/podcast\/default-podcast","embedCode":"

Wings of Chaos: Chapter 9<\/a><\/blockquote>